This article was co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM and by How.com.vn staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Dr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.
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Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC) or “kennel cough” is a respiratory infection that is highly contagious in dogs.[1] It can give your pup a honking cough and cause them to feel like anything but themselves. So, how can you treat it, and are there ways to prevent your dog from catching this illness? Take a look at our complete guide on kennel cough below to learn about symptoms, treatment options, causes, and more.
Things You Should Know
- Kennel cough is an extremely contagious disease dogs can catch from drinking, eating, coughing, sneezing, or playing around other dogs.
- If you suspect your pup has kennel cough, bring them to the vet immediately. Treating kennel cough varies depending on severity, so an evaluation is needed.
- To help ease your dog's cough symptoms at home, feed them a combination of lemon juice and honey.
Steps
Kennel Cough Treatment
- Isolate your dog from other dogs if you suspect kennel cough. Kennel cough is highly contagious. Each time your dog coughs, they release aerosol particles that can spread illness. Because of this, if you think your dog has kennel cough, make sure to move them away from other dogs immediately.[2]
- Avoid walking your dog near other dogs or bringing them to dog parks.
- If you have more than 1 dog, they’re all likely to be exposed to kennel cough if only 1 pet shows symptoms.
- Call the veterinary clinic before bringing a possibly infected dog in, as the clinic may have safety procedures in place.[3]
- Take your dog to the vet immediately. It’s best to get any dog with a cough checked out by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The vet will be able to verify if your dog has kennel cough and how severe their case is.[4] They can provide personalized treatment and help monitor your dog’s health, so they can start feeling better faster.[5]
- Your vet will likely perform a thorough physical examination, including taking your dog's temperature, feeling their throat, checking their inside mouth, and listening to their heart and lungs.
- If they feel it’s necessary, your vet may do blood work, chest x-rays, or a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay) to diagnose kennel cough.
Advertisement - Administer antibiotics as instructed. Your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to help treat kennel cough, especially if they have a fever or signs of pneumonia.[6] Give your dog the medication as instructed by your vet.[7]
- Antibiotics aren’t appropriate in every case. Some cases of kennel cough are viral, and antibiotics likely won’t help. This is why it’s best to always follow your vet’s instructions and care plan, as they know what’s best for your pup.
- Give your dog cough medicine, if advised. In mild cases of kennel cough, a cough suppressant may be prescribed by a vet to help calm your dog’s symptoms. While coughing helps move phlegm out of your dog’s chest, it may be upsetting and uncomfortable for them. Cough medicine can help ease your dog’s worries and pain, allowing them to sleep and recover faster.[8]
- Think of it like taking a cough drop when you have a cold. While coughing sometimes feels good, it can irritate your throat and make it harder to sleep. Cough suppressants work the same way for dogs as cough drops work for you!
- Never give your dog human cough or cold remedies before consulting your veterinarian first.
- Follow your vet’s instructions on how much and when to administer the cough suppressant to your dog.
- Ensure that your dog gets lots of rest. One of the best ways to treat kennel cough is with rest. The more your dog sleeps and relaxes, the more energy their body will have to fight the infection. So, reduce your dog's exercise to help them recover faster.[9]
- Skip afternoon playtime and let your dog rest.
- Do your best not to touch or move your dog’s toys, even if they bring them to you, as they’re more inclined to play if you handle the toys.
- Avoid taking your dogs on walks while they’re sick, as being in public places can put other dogs at risk.
Expert Q&A
- QuestionCan kennel cough go away on its own?Ray Spragley, DVMDr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.
VeterinarianYes, in fact, most of the time kennel cough with resolve itself without any treatment. However, this is only true in healthy dogs. If your dog has any underlying conditions, they may require treatment. In either case, it's worth taking your dog to a vet. - QuestionWhat kills kennel cough?Ray Spragley, DVMDr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.
VeterinarianThere's a vaccine for kennel cough that will stop it in its tracks most of the time. However, it's not 100% effective since there are multiple bacterias and viruses that can cause kennel cough. Still, getting your dog vaccinated is a good first step. - QuestionWhat medications do I need for my dog to get better?Ray Spragley, DVMDr. Ray Spragley is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and the Owner/Founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care PLLC in New York. With experience in multiple institutions and private practices, Dr. Spragley’s specializations and interests include non-surgical management of cranial cruciate ligament tears, Intervertebral Disk Disease(IVDD), and pain management in osteoarthritis. Dr. Spragley holds a BS in Biology from SUNY Albany and has a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM) from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. He is also a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Therapist (CCRT) through the Canine Rehab Institute as well as a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist (CVA) through Chi University.
VeterinarianYou often don't need any medication at all, since kennel cough typically goes away on its own. If your dog has underlying condition or the cough is especially bad, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to combat the kennel cough.
Video
Tips
- Typically, if clinical signs of kennel cough are present for less than a week and your dog has normal appetite and energy levels, they may only need rest and general veterinary care as treatment.[24]Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about dog care, check out our in-depth interview with Ray Spragley, DVM.
References
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132485/
- ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/kennel-cough/
- ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/kennel-cough
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-coughing-causes-treatment/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132485/
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 5 March 2021.
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132485/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-in-dogs/
- ↑ https://nebula.wsimg.com/db1585f3f7da6ee95d4854aad80495fe?AccessKeyId=720F0F9E11224D7D752D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
- ↑ https://nebula.wsimg.com/db1585f3f7da6ee95d4854aad80495fe?AccessKeyId=720F0F9E11224D7D752D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
- ↑ https://nebula.wsimg.com/db1585f3f7da6ee95d4854aad80495fe?AccessKeyId=720F0F9E11224D7D752D&disposition=0&alloworigin=1
- ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 22 December 2022.
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-in-dogs/
- ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/kennel-cough/
- ↑ https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/kennel-cough/
- ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-in-dogs/
- ↑ Ray Spragley, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 19 February 2021.
- ↑ Cameron Thompsen. Dog Trainer. Expert Interview. 31 March 2022.
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132485/
- ↑ Natalie Punt, DVM. Veterinarian. Expert Interview. 22 December 2022.
- ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/kennel-cough
- ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/health-and-injuries/kennel-cough
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7132485/
About This Article
To treat kennel cough, start by isolating your dog from other dogs immediately, since kennel cough is contagious. Next, bring your pet to a veterinarian to confirm the illness and receive a treatment plan, which usually includes a round of oral antibiotics. You can ease your dog's discomfort and loosen any mucus in its chest by bringing it into a steamy bathroom for 5-10 minutes several times throughout the day. Make sure your dog rests as much as possible and avoid bringing it on its daily walks until the condition resolves. For tips on preventing kennel cough, read on!
Reader Success Stories
- "Right now, my mom and I are monitoring about our dog's condition. We were very nervous and didn't know what to do. Then, something came into my mind that our dog might have a cough. I researched about how to treat a dog's cough and how to know if your dog has a cough, then I saw this article. I read it and it really helps. And tomorrow, we will bring our dog to the vet's clinic for the check up. Thank you for giving information on what to do if our dogs are sick."..." more
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